Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Director of Public Health

Between the 10 January and 15 February 2019 the Council undertook a public consultation on the proposed Active Communities Strategy (ACS) and the Walking and Cycling Plan. The attached documents appendices 1, 4, and 4a present the response to the consultation from both the ACS and Walking & Cycling Plan.

Amendments have been made to the ACS and Walking and Cycling Plan to reflect these comments as identified in the consultation reports and the amended documents are attached in appendices 2, 5, and 6.

Equality Impact Assessments were carried out for both the ACS and Walking and Cycling Plan and are attached in appendices 3 and 7.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         Note the key areas of feedback received during the consultation period on the draft Stockport's Active Communities Strategy, and Cycling and Walking Plan

·         Support that Cabinet adopted the revised Stockport's Active Communities Strategy, and Cycling and Walking Plan

·         Support the recommendation that Cabinet delegate the approval of the revised GM Bee Network Map to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

Officer contact: Dr Donna Sager / Caroline Simpson, 0161-474-3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk/ caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk   

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Director of Public Health (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the responses to public consultations held with regard to the proposed Active Communities Strategy and the Walking and Cycling Plan, and detailing amendments made to those plans resulting from the comments made in those consultations.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Active Community Strategy and Walking and Cycling Plan were broadly welcomed as a means of improving mental and physical health and increasing activity.

·         Consideration needed to be given to street furniture such as benches, which allowed people to take a natural break and encouraged people to be out in their community rather than be isolated.

·         The provision of safe walking and cycling routes were fundamental to the success of these plans.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.